OUR CAPABILITIES
Geotechnical Consultancy
Advanced geotechnical engineering for complex ground challenges
Our dedicated geotechnical consultancy operates alongside our wider technical team, bringing together specialist engineering expertise and advanced data-driven approaches and interpretation.
Whether through standalone consultancy services or integrated solutions, we help you better understand ground conditions, manage risks and make confident decisions
Built on engineering excellence
Geofem’s dedicated geotechnical consultancy is led by company founder Dr. Andrew Lees FICE, CEng, a recognised geotechnical engineer with more than two decades of experience applying advanced numerical analysis, engineering expertise and innovative technologies to complex real-world challenges.
His expertise is underpinned by a PhD in centrifuge modelling and finite element analysis of soil–structure interaction.
He is also the author of Geotechnical FEA – A Practical Guide, published by the Institution of Civil Engineers, and the NAFEMS guidebook Obtaining Parameters for Geotechnical Analysis.
Andrew has played a leading role in advancing international geotechnical practice, contributing to the development of Eurocode 7 by chairing Evolution Group 4 on Numerical Methods and serving on the project team responsible for redrafting Eurocode 7 Part 1, including the integration of numerical methods into the standard.
Today, this depth of expertise forms the foundation of Geofem's consultancy services—combining advanced engineering analysis, practical geotechnical judgement and satellite-derived intelligence to deliver clear, actionable insight for critical transportation infrastructure, mining and the built environment.
Geotechnical expertise across the project lifecycle
Advanced Geotechnical Analysis
Understanding complex ground behaviour through numerical modelling and engineering analysis.
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Finite element analysis (2D & 3D)
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Soil–structure interaction analysis
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Geogrid application analysis
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Ground movement analysis
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Geotechnical analysis
Stability & Ground Improvement Solutions
Assessing performance, optimising designs and evaluating challenging ground conditions.
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Slope stability assessments
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Mechanically stabilised earth (MSE) simulations
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Geogrid application design
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Geotechnical design
Engineering Interpretation & Assurance
Providing independent expertise to support confident decision-making.
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Interpretation of monitoring data
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Forensic engineering
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Independent technical reviews
Our Specialist Capabilities
Satellite data integration
Satellite monitoring provides valuable information, but understanding what that movement means requires engineering expertise.
We interpret satellite-derived ground movement and soil moisture data alongside ground conditions, asset characteristics, construction history, groundwater behaviour, loading and potential failure mechanisms.
By integrating satellite observations with available monitoring data and site information, we help you distinguish between background movement, seasonal response, progressive deterioration and potential failure, supporting better-informed engineering decisions.
Advanced numerical modelling
Complex ground behaviour demands more than observation, it requires understanding how soils, structures and changing conditions interact.
Geofem applies advanced two- and three-dimensional finite element analysis to solve complex geotechnical challenges, including soil–structure interaction, ground movement analysis, slope stability, geogrid-stabilised soil systems, and complex construction sequences.
By simulating real-world behaviour, we help you better understand performance, evaluate risk and make more confident engineering decisions.
Forensic engineering
Understand what happened, and why.
When unexpected movement, damage or failure occurs, understanding the sequence of events is critical.
Geofem combines retrospective satellite analysis with geotechnical expertise to reconstruct ground behaviour over time, revealing patterns and changes that may have contributed to the event.
This approach provides valuable insight where conventional monitoring was unavailable, incomplete or only implemented after damage became apparent, helping you investigate causes, assess contributing factors and make more informed decisions for future risk reduction.
Mechanically-stabilised earth & geogrid applications
Geogrid improves aggregates and fill materials by a stabilisation function leading to the more efficient of construction of roads, railways, working platforms and soil structures. But fully understanding how these systems behave requires more than conventional design approaches.
Geofem draws on extensive expertise in the advanced numerical analysis of stabilising geogrid applications to understand how geogrids interact with granular materials, increase strength, influence deformation behaviour and contribute to overall system performance.
This expertise supports the design and assessment of mechanically stabilised and reinforced soil applications across roads, rail foundations, embankments, working platforms and retaining structures.
Engineering peer review
Gain confidence in your engineering decisions.
Our independent reviews can provide valuable assurance when managing complex geotechnical challenges, high-risk projects or critical design decisions.
Geofem assesses investigations, interpretations, analyses and designs for geotechnical projects through an objective engineering lens.
Drawing on extensive practical experience and academic expertise, we verify technical quality, challenge key assumptions, identify potential risks and provide confidence that engineering decisions are robust, proportionate and aligned with industry best practice.
Advancing geotechnical engineering through research & practice
Geofem’s approach is built on a foundation of research, innovation and practical engineering experience.
Through technical publications, industry guidance and contributions to international standards, we continue to advance understanding of geotechnical behaviour and the application of advanced analysis in engineering practice.
Our expertise is reflected in key publications and technical contributions covering numerical methods, finite element analysis, soil–structure interaction and geotechnical design.
These resources demonstrate our commitment to sharing knowledge and supporting better-informed engineering decisions across the industry.
Explore selected publications & technical contributions:
Geotechnical FEA – A Practical Guide — Institution of Civil Engineers
Use of geotechnical numerical methods with Eurocode 7 - Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics
Characterising geomaterial shakedown and related deformation accumulation from cyclic triaxial tests - Transportation Geotechnics
A mobilised bearing capacity approach to the performance-based design of unpaved roads - Transportation Geotechnics
The surface bearing capacity of a strong granular layer on weaker sand - Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Geotechnical Engineering
Railway formation design by elasto-plastic FEM mechanistic-empirical approach – Transportation Geotechnics
Finite Element Modeling of a Mechanically Stabilized Earth Trial Wall - Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
The bearing capacity of a granular layer on clay - Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Geotechnical Engineering
Strength envelope of granular soil stabilized by multi-axial geogrid in large triaxial tests – Canadian Geotechnical Journal
Use of geotechnical numerical methods with Eurocode 7 - Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics
Seasonal slope movements in an old clay fill embankment dam – Canadian Science Publishing
Settlement Based Load-Bearing in a Combined Pile–Raft Foundation – Geotechnical & Geological Engineering Journal
Impact of suction and swell induced softening on pile behavior in unsaturated expansive clay - ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering.
Effect of infiltration on single pile and mono pile-raft foundation embedded in unsaturated sand - ASCE International Journal of Geomechanics
Discuss your geotechnical challenge with us.
Our geotechnical engineers will help you interpret complex data, assess potential risks and identify practical solutions through specialist advice, independent reviews and engineering-led analysis.